Rudy Ricciotti "understood what was expected of him, a preservation of the existing heritage and a beautiful architectural creation", explained Mr. Wauquiez to the regional daily Le Progrès on Wednesday.
The region has owned this museum since 2017 and the withdrawal of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which no longer had the means to ensure its maintenance.
The ensemble is made up of two historic buildings from the 18th century, one housing a collection of rare fabrics inherited from Lyon silk, the other a collection of decorative arts.
Mr. Ricciotti's project involves the construction of a new structure at the junction of the two existing buildings. Another building, facing the street, will be completely rebuilt, with a facade open to the city.
The works will provide the museum with an auditorium, a terrace café, a restaurant and a bookstore.
The bill for the project is estimated, excluding scenography, between 50 and 60 million euros, said Mr. Wauquiez who hopes to reduce the final bill for the community with European aid. He will also ask the city and the metropolis of Lyon with which he disagreed about the future of the establishment when its closure was mentioned.
In addition to the Mucem, Mr. Ricciotti is known for having built the Jean Bouin stadium in Paris, the Vitrolles stadium and the BAM musical city in Metz. In Lyon, we owe him the beautiful Pavillon 52 office building, all in undulations, in the new district of Confluence.